Pope Benedict XVI has expressed his sorrow at the Victorian bushfire disaster, which has razed over 3,000 kilometres and 900 homes across the state.

In a message to Australian Governor-General Quentin Bryce, Pope Benedict also said he prays for all involved in providing assistance to the victims.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Meteorology has issued a high fire threat for northern Victoria today and the state experienced cooler conditions overnight.

But the Country Fire Authority (CFA) says southerly winds gusting up to 50 kilometres per hour have caused serious concern, fanning the Yea-Murrindindi fire to the north-east of Melbourne in both the Blue and Black ranges.

The CFA says fires also continue to burn in the Maroondah/Yarra Complex, south-east of Toolangi and east and north of Healesville.

"Residents are advised that fire activity in these areas remains high, with the increased possibility of ember attack and need to be vigilant and aware of the localised change in conditions," the CFA said in a statement.

Victoria Police says the official number of lives lost remains at 181, but unconfirmed reports say the toll may be higher.

Premier John Brumby has warned people to be prepared for a final toll higher than 200, and says some of the bodies will never be identified.

'Overwhelming generosity'

Financial aid has continued to pour in from across the country and around the world, with over $31 million in relief aid raised by the Red Cross so far.

The Red Cross says it has been overwhelmed by the generosity of Australians.

Red Cross spokesman Michael Raper says the funds are appreciated.

"We're just in the response phase now, we're going to have to move into the recovery phase shortly," he said.

"That will mean putting in some big dollars to help people rebuild their lives, rebuild their homes, rebuild their whole communities.

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace says the Queen has made a private donation of an unspecified amount to the Australian Red Cross for the bushfire victims.

Reports to ABC Radio in Melbourne overnight say performers Leonard Cohen, Paul Kelly and Simply Red have all donated proceeds from their Tuesday night concerts to the fire appeal.

The one-day international cricket match between Australia and New Zealand at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday evening helped raise over $6 million for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.

IGA stores nationwide will contribute $1.5 million in food vouchers to the bushfire victims, which will be distributed by the Salvation Army.

Victorian stores have also supported firefighters by supplying pallets of food and energy drinks to the front line.

'Life must go on'

Callers to ABC Radio in Melbourne overnight related their stories.

One listener, Mary-ann, said she attended her son's wedding in the Yarra Valley on Sunday, and said she felt "immoral" that she was celebrating while homes and lives were being lost.

She said the wedding party were using buckets and hoses to prepare the vineyard for fires before they were evacuated, but the wedding went ahead despite the vineyard next door being burnt out.

"We were looking out over the valley and we saw smoke and fire, and I felt immoral, having a wedding and celebrating when people are fighting [fire]," she said.

"[But] everything went ahead according to plan, and it was a lovely wedding."

But caller Wayne said his father and brother, who are battling blazes in the state's south, said it was important for fire fighters to know people's lives were going on as normal because of the tragedy they have faced.

"People do have to live and continue living," he said.

"Little stories like that are good."

Wind changes

The Country Fire Authority (CFA) says a change in wind conditions has caused increased fire activity in the Yea-Murrindindi blaze burning north of Melbourne overnight.

The Yea-Murrindindi fire, burning near Alexandra north-east of Melbourne on the north-east front in the Blue Range and around the west side of the Black Range, is estimated to be around 100,000 hectares in size.

More containment lines are being established along the Whanregarwen Road from the Maroondah Highway to Molesworth, as well as along the power lines between Taggerty and Snobs Creek.

Evacuation policy to stand

Mr Brumby told ABC1's Lateline program on Wednesday night that the "leave early or stay and fight" policy will stand for now.

"That policy has served the state very, very well for the past 20 years," he said.

"I've said this week that in the context of a Royal Commission, which will look at every single issue and leave no stone unturned, that of course I would expect that there would be debate and comment and views put about this policy.

"But ... my view is that it's the right policy."

Mr Brumby says the warnings to evacuate were sufficiently timely.

"If you thought back to last Friday, we all gave warnings. I gave warnings," he said.

"I remember it was the first 10 minutes of my press conference on Friday about what an horrendous day Saturday would be and why people should take all the precautions, and if they're staying home, put their fire plan in place.

"If we were to have evacuated anybody at risk on the Saturday on the basis of weather conditions, you're probably looking at half a million Victorians who would have been evacuated out of their homes.

"And the fact is, you can't cater for an evacuation of half a million people."

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